Suspect in fire that razed Lake Louise employee lodge to undergo psychiatric assessment

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The suspect charged with arson in a fire that destroyed a Lake Louise employee lodging will be assessed to determine his mental state at the time of the blaze.

Defence counsel Susan Karpa appeared in Calgary Court of Justice on Tuesday seeking a 30-day assessment for Timothy Alexander Peterson to determine if he qualifies for a defence of not criminally responsible by reason of a mental disorder.

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Karpa told Justice Sean Dunnigan her client was seen by a doctor and determined he was fit to stand trial, but an NCR assessment was recommended.

Dunnigan ordered Peterson to be sent to the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre for that testing.

Under the Criminal Code, the prosecution of a person who is unfit to stand trial would be put on hold until that accused is deemed fit and then the case would resume.

A finding of not criminally responsible would indicate an accused was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the incident, which rendered them incapable of appreciating the nature and quality of their action or knowing that it was wrong.

Peterson, 40, is charged with arson showing disregard for human life and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose following a July 3 fire at the Charleston Residence in Lake Louise.

The three-storey building, which provided lodging for 165 people, was destroyed in the blaze, displacing dozens of employees working in the tourist industry in the Banff National Park town.

The fire displaced multiple residents, leaving them scrambling to salvage their working summer. Some workers, who came from other provinces and countries as seasonal workers, indicated after the fire that they would be leaving because of the blaze.

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“We’re all panicked and worried about most of us getting home,” Charleston resident Mike Thom said.

“We lost our lives.”

Many of the Charleston residents lost everything they owned, including passports, visas, identification, outdoor equipment, computers, clothing and other personal items.

Australian Dan Sawyer said he was one of those rendered homeless with almost all of their belongings reduced to ashes.

“We are all shocked after the events that have occurred and are left with little to no property,” Sawyer said on his Facebook page.

“We’re staying strong and are getting through this terrible disaster together.”

Peterson returns to court in Calgary on Sept. 12.

— With files from Bill Kaufmann

KMartin@postmedia.com

Twitter: @KMartinCourts